October 29, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Sacramento Republic FC News Release
Colorado Springs, Colo. – Republic FC’s historic season ends with a 1-2 defeat in the semifinal round of the USL Championship Western Conference Playoffs.
Ninety minutes wouldn’t be enough to decide a winner and extra time would determine which club would advance to the Western Conference Final in San Antonio. Colorado Springs took the victory with a score early on in the first period while Republic FC wasn’t able to get a second ball over the line in the Rockies.
Sacramento made the first move of the match, when Rodrigo Lopez broke out behind the hosts’ backline in the 18th minute. Republic FC’s captain took a long ball from Dan Casey right into a one-on-one situation with Switchbacks’ goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell and chipped it in to put the Quails up 1-0.
Colorado Springs began putting pressure on Sacramento following the opener; a pair of attempts in the 20th and 26th minute minutes each went just over the bar. A great save from Danny Vitiello in goal kept out a 30th minute attempt from Michee Ngalina. Ngalina equalized for the hosts before the halftime whistle sounded, sending the two clubs into the break knotted at one.
Another huge stop from Danny Vitiello kept Switchbacks FC out of net in the 68th minute – this time from the penalty spot. Sacramento’s man between the sticks wasn’t fazed by Elvis Amoh’s trickery in the run-up, guessing right to keep the match tied 1-1. The denial was Vitiello’s first penalty save in league play this season, and the first made by a Sacramento keeper since Carlos Saldaña on opening night in March.
Early in extra time, the hosts would take the lead on Ngalina’s second score of the night.
The Quails pressured the hosts to their limits throughout extra time. Damia Viader nearly answered the go-ahead score, corralling another Dan Casey long ball from the back, but didn’t find the net. Moments later, a cross from the Spaniard deflected to Jack Gurr open near the penalty spot, however, the Englishman’s attempt went just wide of the goal. The club continued to serve dangerous balls into the penalty area for the entirety of the second additional period, but couldn’t find the equalizer.
The 2022 season now comes to a close for Republic FC after a memorable season. The club finishes its ninth all-time campaign with a 16-12-8 record in the regular season and playoffs.
Sacramento Republic FC 1 – 2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
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